A cornerstone of Montreal’s Little Italy, Impasto merges tradition and innovation in Italian cuisine with unapologetic finesse. Helmed by Stefano Faita and Michele Forgione—two names synonymous with the city’s culinary scene—the restaurant offers a menu that celebrates regional Italian cooking through a local lens. From house-cured charcuterie to saffron-laced tagliatelle, every dish balances rustic authenticity with a polished edge. Seasonal ingredients drive the menu, which rotates often but never misses staples like the famed Gaspor porchetta and spelt gnocchi.

Designed by Zébulon Perron, the space reflects the menu’s duality: industrial minimalism softened by warm, inviting touches. With just 50 seats and a front-row bar overlooking the open kitchen, the dining experience is as intimate as it is refined. And the wine? A thoughtful curation of Italian and Quebec labels, expertly selected to elevate every plate. Impasto isn’t just a meal—it’s a masterclass in modern Italian dining.

Taking over the space that once housed Cafécoquetel, Sae Low comes from chef Minh Phat Tu of Mui Mui and Anemone. True to its address’s former tenants, it’s a café and wine bar doing simple, small plates with pan-Asian influences on plates of seasonal Quebec products (a hallmark of Minh’s work). Think salmon tataki salads, or donburi-style bowls with spicy tuna, shiso and cucumber or roasted oyster mushrooms with peanut sauce. It’s simple and fresh with a wine list and coffee menu to match as well, making this place just as good for afternoons as it is for late evenings.